With warm evenings, extended daylight hours and consistently high temperature, your July garden is thriving and you are likely enjoying fresh tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and other bounty. The challenges you face now are keeping plants watered deeply and free of pests or disease. See our ideas below to help ensure your garden is staying lush and healthy even amid the summer’s hottest days.

Planning. Summer getaways are common, so while you are traveling plan to have someone tend to the basics of your garden, like watering. Reward those willing to spend time nurturing your garden with whatever they harvest.

NOTE: It’s hard to believe, but now is the time to start thinking about planning and planting for fall crops. Also, don’t forget about fall flowering plants for those pollinators we want to stick around.

Water. Deeply water vegetable gardens as needed. A garden needs one inch of rain or water each week. Early morning is the best time to water as evening watering is less desirable because plant leaves that remain wet through the night are more susceptible to fungus diseases. Mulching plants will help to reduce water losses and improve harvest yields. July heat can be brutal, some container plants or hanging baskets may need to be watered multiple times a day to keep them thriving.

Nutrients. Flowering and fruiting require a lot of energy so give plants an additional boost of organic fertilizer once flowering begins. You can fertilize one more time before the end of the season.

Plant. There is still time to plant heat loving field peas and lima beans. Towards the end of the month, sow seeds outside for beans, peppers, eggplant, broccoli, beets, kale, pumpkin, and squash.

Pick Your Perfect Backyard. We look forward to your visit to our unique riverside community, where you can purchase your dream home and plan your perfect garden. Learn how you can be a part of this growing community, and stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in The Bluffs by tuning into our Facebook page!